Feb 27, 2013, 5:45 am
Last edit by: WineCountryUA
This wiki was created to distill SDC (specifically not standby) down to a set of rules in the hopes of benefiting others.
The official "rules" can be found here. In practice, some of the rules almost always apply almost, and some are more flexible.
Note there have been reports of SDC to one segment removing confirmed CPU upgrades on downline segments. If maintaining the confirmed upgrade is important then these changes should be handled with care.
Most Frequently Asked Question: When do I call/go online to make the change?
Follow this flowchart:
Question 1: Are you within 24 hours of your first originally scheduled UA(*) operated flight that you're trying to change off of? If yes, continue to question 2. If no, continue to answer 1.
Question 2: Are you within 24 hours of the first UA operated flight you're trying to change on to? If yes, continue to to answer 2. If no, continue to answer 1.
Answer 1: No, you cannot call/go online yet to make an SDC.
Answer 2: If the answer to both questions is yes, then you can call/go online to make an SDC.
General Baseline Rules
These are the general rules that usually apply to SDC's; falling outside these rules usually requires payment of a full change fee and the fare difference:
How to SDC
SDC can be accomplished in a few different places (in rough order of likelihood of being able to get the rules bent):
NB: An SDC where the original itinerary (in one direction) has three or more segments cannot be done online.
Nuances and Loose Rules
Now for the hard part: figuring out where the flexibility is in the rules. This list is compiled from the responses to people saying "Can I do X?" where X is something that is not clearly permitted by the rules. One's likelihood of success here depends a bit on the method used for the SDC.
For each item, the following codes apply:
Y = possible using any method
A = possible using an agent (phone/counter), perhaps having to HUACA
A* = mixed reports of success with an agent (phone/counter),
N* = possible only if you find a very accommodating agent
N = little or no reported success.
If you encounter issues with an agent (phone or counter/gate), you can ask the agent to reference GG SDC. Additionally, GG SDC line 61 specifically references that fare classes are supposed to level out 3.5 hours before departure, so you might be able to use that to your advantage if fare classes have not leveled out and you're trying to ask an agent to open up the correct inventory or force you onto the flight.
The official "rules" can be found here. In practice, some of the rules almost always apply almost, and some are more flexible.
Note there have been reports of SDC to one segment removing confirmed CPU upgrades on downline segments. If maintaining the confirmed upgrade is important then these changes should be handled with care.
Most Frequently Asked Question: When do I call/go online to make the change?
Follow this flowchart:
Question 1: Are you within 24 hours of your first originally scheduled UA(*) operated flight that you're trying to change off of? If yes, continue to question 2. If no, continue to answer 1.
Question 2: Are you within 24 hours of the first UA operated flight you're trying to change on to? If yes, continue to to answer 2. If no, continue to answer 1.
Answer 1: No, you cannot call/go online yet to make an SDC.
Answer 2: If the answer to both questions is yes, then you can call/go online to make an SDC.
General Baseline Rules
These are the general rules that usually apply to SDC's; falling outside these rules usually requires payment of a full change fee and the fare difference:
- The departure time of the first segment of the old itinerary and the departure time of the first segment of the new itinerary must both be within 24 hours of the moment that the change is made.
- The ultimate origin and destination airports must remain the same.
- Routing can be changed (addition, deletion, or change of connection points) but the routing rules of the original fare usually apply.
- All remaining unflown segments in single fared itinerary are considered together (i.e., if you're flying WWW-XXX-YYY-ZZZ, you can go to a kiosk at XXX and potentially fly XXX-AAA-ZZZ or XXX-ZZZ direct).
- SDC can be done an unlimited number of times, and can therefore be used to extend a trip indefinitely (pending availability).
- SDC costs $75 for GM's and Silvers - the fees is waived for Golds and up (plus any applicable fare difference, see below). *G's may also get free SDC, although there is no mention of this in the official rules.
- Non-elites on the same PNR benefit from any waived fees for SDC.
- No fare difference is charged so long as there is availability on all of the new segments in the originally ticketed fare class. Fare class availability in all classes often opens up after T-24 and almost always opens up at T-3 unless the plane is very full.
- SDC on bulk tickets, including United Specials, is not permitted.
- SDC is permitted on both domestic and international itineraries.
- The proposed remaining itinerary must be operated by United or United Express®, and the ticket number must begin with 016. (see nuances below)
How to SDC
SDC can be accomplished in a few different places (in rough order of likelihood of being able to get the rules bent):
- United.com “change flight” link before checking in, within T-24. (Many have reported recently that this has problems and attempts to collect the full fare difference and $200 change fee.)
- "Search Other Flight Options" button during OLCI. (This has spotty availability, particularly if the change would involve paying an additional fare due to fare bucket non-availability.)
- United mobile app
- Kiosk
- Phone
- Counter/Gate (although reports are that most airport agents are not familiar with the SDC policy and may not allow you to SDC to a valid itinerary--you can try to direct them to look up GG SDC, but they often won't understand that what you're trying to do is permitted by those rules)
Nuances and Loose Rules
Now for the hard part: figuring out where the flexibility is in the rules. This list is compiled from the responses to people saying "Can I do X?" where X is something that is not clearly permitted by the rules. One's likelihood of success here depends a bit on the method used for the SDC.
For each item, the following codes apply:
Y = possible using any method
A = possible using an agent (phone/counter), perhaps having to HUACA
A* = mixed reports of success with an agent (phone/counter),
N* = possible only if you find a very accommodating agent
N = little or no reported success.
- Violating various non-routing fare rules (day/time, minimum stay, etc.): Y
- Change destination to ultra-close airport (e.g. JFK-> LGA; see the old S*FAR/STANDBY): A
- Change destination to a co-terminal (e.g. JFK -> EWR): N*
- Change destination to an entirely different place: N
- Change itinerary at the beginning to include illegal layovers (> 4 hours): N*
- Change itinerary at the layover point (using kiosk, app, or agent) to create an otherwise illegal layover: Y
- Change itinerary at the beginning to add a layover point not permitted by the routing rules: N*
- Change itinerary at a layover point to add another layover not permitted (either in terms of number of segments or routing rules) by the routing rules: Y
- Change to a flight exactly 24 hours before or after the original flight: N*
- Change to a flight exactly 24 hours before the original flight, if the previous day's flight has been delayed: Y (based on one report)
- Combining separately-fared segments to do SDC (e.g. XXX-YYY+YYY-ZZZ -> XXX-ZZZ): A
- Change UA-codeshare, non-UA-metal segment to UA metal: A
- Change from UA metal to UA-codeshare, non-UA-metal segment: N (see post 1813 for one exception)
- Change from UA-codeshare, non-UA-metal segment to a different UA-codeshare, non-UA-metal segment: ??
- Change on a non-UA ticketed segment: N* (with potential dire consequences)
- Change from an upgraded flight into Y on the new flight: A
- Change from a CPU-upgraded flight and get confirmed into available R space on the new flight: N*
- Change from an instrument-upgraded flight and get confirmed into available R space on the new flight: A*
- Non-elite on different PNR benefiting from Elite's waived-fee SDC: A
If you encounter issues with an agent (phone or counter/gate), you can ask the agent to reference GG SDC. Additionally, GG SDC line 61 specifically references that fare classes are supposed to level out 3.5 hours before departure, so you might be able to use that to your advantage if fare classes have not leveled out and you're trying to ask an agent to open up the correct inventory or force you onto the flight.
original posting by mgcsinc, initiated by jackal
UA Same-Day Travel Change (SDC) Fees/Questions *now with WikiPost* {pre-2015 Archive}
Jan 29, 2014, 1:45 pm
#3076
Join Date: Jan 2012
Programs: UA/*A:S,UC DL/ST:S Hyatt:Plat, GE
Posts: 82
Apologies if this is a stupid question, but I wasn't clear from the wiki:
If I have a 3 segment flight, I know I can SDC via A at t-24, and that the fare buckets equalize for the first segment at t-3. I am assuming that if I'm in a G fare and the available fares are Q and up, that even if there was space in the first segment at T-3, I would still have to pay the fare difference for the later segments? Or would a helpful agent be likely to overlook this?
If I have a 3 segment flight, I know I can SDC via A at t-24, and that the fare buckets equalize for the first segment at t-3. I am assuming that if I'm in a G fare and the available fares are Q and up, that even if there was space in the first segment at T-3, I would still have to pay the fare difference for the later segments? Or would a helpful agent be likely to overlook this?
Jan 29, 2014, 1:50 pm
#3077
Join Date: Aug 2011
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 8,634
Apologies if this is a stupid question, but I wasn't clear from the wiki:
If I have a 3 segment flight, I know I can SDC via A at t-24, and that the fare buckets equalize for the first segment at t-3. I am assuming that if I'm in a G fare and the available fares are Q and up, that even if there was space in the first segment at T-3, I would still have to pay the fare difference for the later segments? Or would a helpful agent be likely to overlook this?
If I have a 3 segment flight, I know I can SDC via A at t-24, and that the fare buckets equalize for the first segment at t-3. I am assuming that if I'm in a G fare and the available fares are Q and up, that even if there was space in the first segment at T-3, I would still have to pay the fare difference for the later segments? Or would a helpful agent be likely to overlook this?
Jan 29, 2014, 2:14 pm
#3078
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: London, UK
Programs: BA Gold, UA Nobody, Hilton Gold
Posts: 2,372
I think the OP is trying to change A-B-C-D to A-E-D which as far as I know will require fare availability on all new segments at the time of changing (or pay the upfare)
Jan 30, 2014, 6:37 am
#3079
Join Date: Jul 2005
Programs: UA 1K MM
Posts: 1,289
SDC and GPU
I am on a international itinerary in a few days that is sold out in BF but there are other routings that get me home in a similar amount on time and have R availability. Could I do a same day change, assuming fare class availability, with my GPU carrying over?
Jan 30, 2014, 6:44 am
#3080
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Los Angeles
Programs: UA Plat 2MM. DL Plat, AS MVP
Posts: 12,751
Don't do it electronically. Call it in. The agent should be able to confirm the upgrade. Online, the system may put you somewhere on the waiting list.
Jan 31, 2014, 3:50 am
#3081
Join Date: Apr 2005
Posts: 84
I have a questions about the use of an SDC. I am *G, and if I have a ticket booked for first flight out (6AM) on a Tuesday, can I look to try to move my flight for free to the last flight out (9PM) on a Monday? If so would there be any charge to me if there is availability?
Jan 31, 2014, 7:36 am
#3082
Join Date: Aug 2011
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 8,634
I have a questions about the use of an SDC. I am *G, and if I have a ticket booked for first flight out (6AM) on a Tuesday, can I look to try to move my flight for free to the last flight out (9PM) on a Monday? If so would there be any charge to me if there is availability?
The answers to the rest of your questions are in the wiki above.
Jan 31, 2014, 8:27 am
#3083
Join Date: Apr 2005
Posts: 84
I am UA G. From the Wiki, if I am interrupting it correctly that I can move from the first flight on Tuesday to the last flight on Monday as long as there availability with out having to pay any fee. Is that correct?
Feb 2, 2014, 9:15 am
#3085
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: PWM/CDG
Programs: AF/KL Plat, AA Plat, HH Diamond
Posts: 789
I couldn't find any clear answer, but I'm assuming you can do several SDC in a row in order to keep pushing back your flight (assuming there's availability)?
Feb 2, 2014, 9:18 am
#3086
Moderator: Midwest, Las Vegas & Dining Buzz
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Posts: 17,971
Feb 2, 2014, 9:30 am
#3087
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Hamburg
Programs: UA - 1K, Marriott - Titanium, Hertz - President's Circle
Posts: 155
I do try to make the change via the app or website as much as possible though so as not to bug agents. It's a perk of Gold and above that is a life saver!
Feb 2, 2014, 9:52 am
#3088
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: IAD
Programs: UA GS, 1MM; Marriott Lifetime Titanium Elite
Posts: 561
A key to leapfrogging on flights with ever growing loads is to have a reasonably high fare bucket.
Also having a lot of options to get home.
LAX-IAD is easy while LAX-BWI/DCA can be much harder because of fewer options via DEN, IAH or ORD.
Also having a lot of options to get home.
LAX-IAD is easy while LAX-BWI/DCA can be much harder because of fewer options via DEN, IAH or ORD.
Feb 2, 2014, 10:00 am
#3089
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: SBP
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Titanium, Marriott Lifetime Platinum, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 533
With the loss of the Cleveland hub does this mean it'll be harder to SDC California-ORD-Somewhere into California-ORD-CLE-Somewhere?
Feb 2, 2014, 11:38 am
#3090
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Dubai / NYC
Programs: EK-IO, UA-1K2MM, ETIHAD-GOLD, SPG-PLAT LIFETIME, JUMEIRAH SERIUS GOLD
Posts: 5,220
Im sure this was covered but color me a moron, I can't find it,
If Im traveling international from Asia - SFO and have a connecting PS flight the next morning to JFK, can I change that PS flight to a later flight as long as they have my fare bucket available, I had heard on some international trips this was not allowed which makes sense since the overnight stop in SFO is under 24 hours. If I originally ticketed it with the stop over 24 hours (what I want) the fare dif is almost $3000
If Im traveling international from Asia - SFO and have a connecting PS flight the next morning to JFK, can I change that PS flight to a later flight as long as they have my fare bucket available, I had heard on some international trips this was not allowed which makes sense since the overnight stop in SFO is under 24 hours. If I originally ticketed it with the stop over 24 hours (what I want) the fare dif is almost $3000